Plans have been revealed for a new track on the Spanish Island of Tenerife, with Spanish architectural firm TN y GPO designing the Tenerife Island Circuit. It is the same firm that were responsible for the design of the Circuit Montemelo in Barcelona that currently hosts the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix amid many other international events.
Plans for the fifteen-turn circuit, set to be located in Granadilla de Abona, were announced at the Royal Automobile Club in London on November 4th, alongside the tender document that invited potential investors to bid for the construction and operation of the track. The deadline for any bids is February 3rd 2015, with an investment of up to €25.7 million being required.
Former Formula 1 driver and 24 hour of Le Mans winner Mark Blundell has praised the ‘design and location’ of the proposed Tenerife Island Circuit and believes it would be a ‘fantastic business opportunity’.
The former Champ Car race winner had told Commerce Councillor of Tenerife Eduardo Pintado that he wanted to be the first Briton to race on the site of the proposed circuit, and driving an M class Mercedes-Benz, Blundell did just that.
“I was imagining being back at the wheel of a racing car, looking at the sea, the mountains and envisaging coming down the 800 metre straight,” said Blundell. “The backdrop is pure bliss.
“It’s like a computer game, an ideal circuit. But its real, it’s here in Tenerife and it’s a fantastic opportunity. I just wish I was 20 years younger and getting back into a Formula One car.
“The circuit is at altitude and enjoys near-perfect weather all year round, so it’s great for developing cars, tyres, engines or holding events. I’m here in December and it’s 21 degrees, which is perfect. And we’re in Europe, in the same time zone as the UK.
I can think of nothing better than to be here in December at a Goodwood-style event. The circuit’s design is brilliant – it looks like Tenerife’s going to stage some really positive, exciting racing.”
Pintado was thrilled to have the former F1 driver, who raced for Brabham, Ligier, Tyrrell and McLaren between 1991 and 1995, race on the site of the proposed circuit.
“It was a complete delight to see Mark Blundell racing on the site,” said Pintado. “He is the first British motor-racing expert to visit the circuit location, and his comments on the project bode extremely well for potential investors.”
